Jewels from MIZUKA Ⅱ, a performance produced by Mizuka Ueno, was first planned in 2014 and received great acclaim. The second part is coming true!
Japanese dancers who are active in Japan and abroad, including world-famous star dancers Vladimir Malakhov and Marcelo Gomez, gathered at Kanagawa Kenmin Hall in response to Mr. Ueno's call. They will deliver a wonderful stage performance for one night only.
Ueno, who is overwhelmingly popular as one of Japan's top dancers, is from Kanagawa Prefecture. He has a deep connection with the Prefectural Hall, and has performed numerous times this year alone, including at the ``Petipa 200th Birthday Gala'' in September and the ``Fantastic Gala Concert'' at the end of the year.
“Kenmin Hall is a stage that I have a lot of fondness for,” says Mr. Ueno, so we asked him about the highlights of this produced performance!
What made you want to not only dance but also produce performances?
I have loved dancing since I was young, and have danced a variety of works in various environments. As I began to feel the desire to dance this and perform that, I was invited to perform at gala performances such as Malakhov & Friends and Lugri and His Shining Friends. I think it was a wonderful experience.
Gala performances have a unique atmosphere that is festival-like and different from a full-act performance. As I continued to gain these experiences, I started to develop ideas as I looked at my friends and thought, ``What if he danced that role?'' ``It would be wonderful if she danced that role.'' I then started thinking about producing my own gala performance. I came to think so.
The first produced performance was very popular.
thank you. Last time, I asked my friends who I usually dance with in the ballet company to perform, and I was impressed that they showed different expressions than usual and danced lively and happily. It was spot on. They said, ``It was a lot of fun,'' and ``I definitely want to do it again,'' so I was happy that not only me but everyone else was happy as well.
What is the fun of producing it yourself?
I get the feeling that I'm doing it on my own, and it really makes me feel like I'm alive!
Over the course of my career, there are works that left an impression on me that I would like to dance again, and works that I have long admired and wish I had the opportunity to dance in. I believe that my gala performance is a collection of small dreams that I have accumulated over the years.
Please tell me the highlights this time.
We have a wide variety of works, from classic to modern. I am also very much looking forward to the variety of guests who will be performing, including Mr. Malakhov, who always invites me to the gala performance.
Even if you work in the same country, you don't often have the opportunity to stand on the same stage as dancers from different companies. I'm sure there will be something mutual about standing on stage with them.
What works do you recommend?
Of course, everything!
If I were to talk about the works that I dance, I would start with "Libertango." So far, I have danced with Naoki Takagishi and Dan Emoto, who choreographed this work, and have received good reviews, but this time I will dance with Gomez. When she came to Japan for the "World Ballet Festival" in August, I approached her and she readily agreed, saying, "I wanted to dance with Mizuka too," so I was more surprised than her. (lol). I've worked with Gomez several times at gala performances and other events, but this is the first time we've partnered up, so I'm really excited.
and “Bolero” choreographed by Laurent Petit. Béjart's Boléro has been danced dozens of times around the world, but this is the first time I've seen Petit's version. It was a long time ago, but Petit-san told me that she wanted Mizuka to dance once, but I never had the chance. This opportunity has finally come around, so I'm really looking forward to dancing with Mr. Emoto. Although it is completely different from Béjart's version, it is an attractive work that captures Petit's typical spirit.
In classical music, you can dance ``Pirate''
yes. I've collaborated with Emoto-san many times, but this is my first time working with Akimoto-san, so I'm looking forward to this as well. We both said, ``I want to dance someday,'' so this is also one of my ``small dreams.''
I believe that the important thing is to realize the accumulation of my dreams in a way that makes our customers happy. We are preparing to make it a wonderful experience for the dancers who will be performing, and of course for the customers who come to see it.
Please look forward to seeing it!
Ballet produced by Mizuka Ueno
“Jewels from MIZUKA II”
[Date and time] November 17th (Sat) 15:00~ (doors open at 14:15)
[Venue] Kanagawa Kenmin Hall Large Hall
[Program and appearances]
From Carmen Suite Adagio Alonso Choreography : Mizuka Ueno Marcelo Gomez
Libertango Naoki Takagishi Choreography : Mizuka Ueno Marcelo Gomez
Bolero Petite Choreography : Mizuka Ueno Dan Emoto
From “Pirates” : Mizuka Ueno, Dan Emoto, Yasuomi Akimoto
Seiichi Shinohara from “Romeo and Juliet” Choreography : Yurie Shimomura Tomoya Imai
Manon la mou Béjart Choreography : Mika Yoshioka
Craze of before dawn Naoya Homitsu Choreography : Ayako Ono Yudai Fukuoka
Pas de Debintrae from “Aladdin” Choreography : Ayako Ono Yudai Fukuoka
Adagio from “Swan Lake” Act 2 : Rie Watanabe, Yuichiro Kyoto
From “La Sylphide” : Kanako Oki Yasuomi Akimoto
Toru Shimazaki from Absence of Story Choreography : Manami Hariyama Vladimir Malakhov
Shelter Skelter (new work premiere) Ryuta Takahashi Choreography : <Art Climbers Works> Ryuta Takahashi Nayoshi Nagase
Hiroki Umezawa, Shunya Okazaki, Nochi Matsuno, Mayumi Nishimura, Harumi Denda, Miho Ueda, Ei Akiyama
*Music uses specially recorded sound source
[Price] S seat ¥9,000, A seat ¥7,000, B seat ¥5,000, C seat ¥3,000, Student (under 24 years old, limited number of tickets) ¥2,000
[Ticket application] http://www.kanagawa-arts.or.jp/tc/
[TEL] 0570-015-415 (Ticket Kanagawa)
[URL] http://www.kanagawa-kenminhall.com/detail?id=35562
*Please refrain from allowing preschool children to enter.
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Applications for the giveaway have ended. Thank you for your many applications.
[Application summary]
We will give away tickets to the ballet ``Jewels from MIZUKA Ⅱ'' produced by Mizuka Ueno, which will be performed at Kanagawa Kenmin Hall from 15:00 on Saturday, November 17th, to 2 people per group.
【Application method】
If you would like to receive a viewing ticket as a gift, please apply by filling out the questionnaire using the application form below. We look forward to receiving your applications.
[Application deadline]
Until Friday, November 2nd 24:00
[Lottery/Winner Announcement]
Winners will be notified by email, so please be careful of your spam email settings. Emails will be sent from the Magcul.net Management Office (info.magcul@gmail.com).
The announcement of the winner will be replaced by notification of the winner via the above email. On the day of the performance, please present your winning notification email at the "Kanagawa Kenmin Hall" counter at the venue. The staff will give you a ticket.
*The personal information you provide will not be used for any purpose other than the lottery.
